Artist Statement

Thinking of our most memorable experiences with nature, we may recollect moments where we have taken a few steps back to observe vast, grandiose landscapes with a sense of awe. Conversely, in my practice, I take a few steps forward to view the intricacies of nature with an intensely forensic eye. In doing this, I create depictions of nature that are rich with complex textures, colours, and subtleties. Such details invite the viewer to embark on an intimate, ‘slow looking’ journey. I find infinite fascination with this small world so close to the ground, so close to us.

These enigmatic drawings, which are primarily created using archival coloured pencils on paper, often demonstrate the intrinsic connections between nature and humanity. Themes I may explore include the wonderment of life, survival's battle scars, death and decay, and the symbiotic relationships between life and death / order and chaos.

I often employ an ‘allover’ technique where all the details of the work have equal importance, obscuring the foreground-background relationship and promoting a heightened awareness of the many layers of imagery. It also introduces an element of ambiguity where the viewer’s experience of the work may not be cohesive and knowable.